The Historic Sports Legacy of Stockton, California
With the Summer Olympics kicking off this week in Paris, we're focusing on Stockton's historic sports legacy as the birthplace and adopted home for future all-star athletes.
Stockton has been a home for many athletes throughout the years. From baseball to football, combat sports to the Olympics, our Port City has produced or guided past, present, and future gladiators that have made an impact in athletic competitions.
Fun Fact: Stockton was once the summer home of the San Francisco 49ers.
![](https://stockton.imgix.net/images/archive/IMG_9992.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=320&s=faeeea3db31500e0fc4c0c9754ceb1c2 320w, https://stockton.imgix.net/images/archive/IMG_9992.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=540&s=2a4ef0194fff99426a89dc6ab46368e3 540w, https://stockton.imgix.net/images/archive/IMG_9992.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=768&s=4899e57931ed75b903c1400441144851 768w, https://stockton.imgix.net/images/archive/IMG_9992.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1024&s=44ef20a0bf3cc239774b52afa9939f7c 1024w, https://stockton.imgix.net/images/archive/IMG_9992.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1200&s=65dfe4e493c0b10834315963f14dc699 1200w, https://stockton.imgix.net/images/archive/IMG_9992.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1440&s=e9d3a7288698ae2e122617266a975914 1440w, https://stockton.imgix.net/images/archive/IMG_9992.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1920&s=668607cb1ca734ff0b0a25ba47fc9705 1920w, https://stockton.imgix.net/images/archive/IMG_9992.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=2560&s=f86e0dc67793a507601d3c36ca13ffd4 2560w, https://stockton.imgix.net/images/archive/IMG_9992.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=3840&s=938a84f56f0593b48e32b0310eeb2241 3649w)
![](https://stockton.imgix.net/images/archive/IMG_9990.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=320&s=081d1f2b0571fc82be59ad9c1e73d3f9 320w, https://stockton.imgix.net/images/archive/IMG_9990.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=540&s=24e8e2e3ff43da12958447d51aec1e2d 540w, https://stockton.imgix.net/images/archive/IMG_9990.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=768&s=53e50c39571fc51bf8279bbfd6fdfa46 768w, https://stockton.imgix.net/images/archive/IMG_9990.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1024&s=eb1365155460c3182da733abb0e8c0a4 1024w, https://stockton.imgix.net/images/archive/IMG_9990.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1200&s=436f7c27db6e0d7319644d9c399a35fd 1200w, https://stockton.imgix.net/images/archive/IMG_9990.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1440&s=2010e45049bba820a4d35c91040bd403 1440w, https://stockton.imgix.net/images/archive/IMG_9990.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1920&s=f4ed30933275d9458952ad92aa22cdd6 1920w, https://stockton.imgix.net/images/archive/IMG_9990.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=2560&s=8b08a6ce8916e421e44c1538c751ca56 2560w, https://stockton.imgix.net/images/archive/IMG_9990.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=3840&s=bc25adfb9876a01506d1b60b34b07e34 3634w)
Laying the Foundation
One of the first to change the game in their field was the legendary Amos Alonzo Stagg, who coached at the University of the Pacific and was pioneer of college football. Most recently, Pacific opened the Stagg Memorial Football Plaza—a 9,000 sq. ft. open space designed as a gathering place for alumni and students to learn of the storied past of Pacific Football through the narratives and interactive displays.
Legacy of UOP
The University of the Pacific was also the collegiate home of two legendary coaches in the NFL. A Super Bowl champion, former Raiders head coach, and inductee into the NFL Hall of Fame, Tom Flores was a 1958 graduate of the illustrious university back when it was called the College of the Pacific. About two decades later, Pacific would produce another Super Bowl-winning legendary coach for the NFL: the Seattle Seahawks’ own Pete Carrol. Additionally, current Lodi High coach Greg Bishop was Stockton born and a UOP graduate. All three of these men were inducted into Pacific’s own Hall of Fame.
The NFL’s Vice President of Officiating & Fox Sports’ Rules Analyst Mike Pereira is Stockton-born, having attended many of the Portuguese festivals in our city. Also, two-time Olympic gold medalist swimmer at the 1964 Olympic games in Tokyo Cathy Ferguson was born right here in Stockton. She was inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame as an "Honor Swimmer" in 1978.
![](https://stockton.imgix.net/images/archive/Cathy-Ferguson-1964-Olympic-Champion-Swimming-World-photo-1-700x500.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=320&s=b4340d1bde8a5ea043890be9f350bc0b 320w, https://stockton.imgix.net/images/archive/Cathy-Ferguson-1964-Olympic-Champion-Swimming-World-photo-1-700x500.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=540&s=9eb27b4edadb90e3cffda6e34834a256 540w, https://stockton.imgix.net/images/archive/Cathy-Ferguson-1964-Olympic-Champion-Swimming-World-photo-1-700x500.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=768&s=e29ef7d798901b5f7a7d2d5b3970c0dd 700w)
And of course, we can’t talk about athletes in Stockton and not mention the great fighting spirit that is rooted in this city. Stockton is the adopted home of legendary boxer Alvaro “Indian Yaqui” Lopez and his Fat City Boxing Club, which provides a space for underprivileged youth to channel their energy. Then, there's the two brothers who dominate the octagon. The creators of the “Stockton slap.” They are MMA legends Nick and Nate Diaz—the latter of which was honored with the key to the city by Mayor Kevin Lincoln. The Diaz Brothers provide a local training venue with the Nick Diaz Academy, a big part of Stockton's Jiu Jitsu community that teaches adults Gracie Jiu Jitsu, boxing, and wrestling. They also provide classes for local youth as well. And finally, Stockton's own Gabriel Flores, Jr. has made a name for himself early in his young career. The 24 year-old continues the Flores and Stockton boxing legacy with his current reign as the WBA Continental Champion—having won the title at the March 16, 2024 "Reloaded" fight at the Adventist Health Arena and later defending it July 20 at the Stockton Ballpark.
![](https://stockton.imgix.net/images/Flores-Jr.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=320&s=4240923e1f8384998cfb0774a601043b 320w, https://stockton.imgix.net/images/Flores-Jr.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=540&s=75d3ae2817ddb7accfada995a5d75d6d 540w, https://stockton.imgix.net/images/Flores-Jr.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=768&s=20f691383414cc63a2ec92da0fea1a78 768w, https://stockton.imgix.net/images/Flores-Jr.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1024&s=5ede7d6c9fe0b06aa326840851592e77 1024w, https://stockton.imgix.net/images/Flores-Jr.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1200&s=04e61cd0e0433520943fa12039388ecb 1200w, https://stockton.imgix.net/images/Flores-Jr.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1440&s=de859edc2101f373555b00e531a2ec3a 1440w, https://stockton.imgix.net/images/Flores-Jr.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1920&s=36dd7e3f5d9c13a27ed7f47626fc56c5 1920w, https://stockton.imgix.net/images/Flores-Jr.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=2560&s=bb9c62020c4627e4471efdde9eef3f95 1980w)
Check out the complete list of Stocktonian athletes below. The names in bold are those who were born right here in Stockton:
Ricky Barnes (born 1981), professional golfer
Bob Beckham (1928- ), softball hall of famer
Greg Bishop (born 1971), NFL offensive tackle
Dallas Braden (born 1983), MLB pitcher
Brooke Bryant (born 2001), hockey player for PWHL in Minnesota
Tony Calvelli (1915-1979), former NFL lineman for the Detroit Lions & San Francisco 49ers
Pete Carroll (born 1951), NFL coach
Erik Centeno (born 2002), soccer player for Atlanta United
Brandin Cooks (born 1993), NFL wide receiver for the Los Angeles Rams
Nate Diaz (born 1985), mixed martial artist
Nick Diaz (born 1983), mixed martial artist, Former Strikeforce Welterweight Champion
Dennis Edwards (born 1959), NFL defensive end
Frederick Feary (1912–1994), boxer, 1932 U.S. Amateur champion and Olympic bronze medalist
Cathy Ferguson (born 1948), swimmer, 2-time Olympic gold medalist
Conn Findlay (1930–2021), 2-time Olympic gold medalist rower and sailor (America's Cup)
Ed Fisher (born 1949), NFL and USFL guard
Gabriel Flores, Jr. (born 2000)
Bob Garibaldi (1942-2023), former relief pitcher for the San Francisco Giants
Jacki Gemelos (born 1983), WNBA player
John Gianelli (born 1950), pro basketball player
Brian Goodell (born 1959), Olympic gold medalist and world record-holding swimmer
Eddie Guardado (born 1970), MLB relief pitcher
Wayne Hardin (born 1927), College Football Hall of Fame at Navy and Temple (attended and coached at University of the Pacific)
Willard Harrell (born 1952), NFL running back
Von Hayes (born 1958), MLB outfielder
J. D. Hill (born 1948), NFL wide receiver
Dan Inosanto (born 1936), martial arts instructor
Hue Jackson (born 1965), NFL coach (attended and coached at University of the Pacific)
Trumaine Johnson (born 1990), NFL cornerback
Derek Kennard (born 1962), NFL guard and center
Dean Kremer (born 1996), Israeli-American MLB starting pitcher
Mike Macfarlane (born 1964), MLB catcher
Doug Martin (born 1989), NFL running back
James Nunnally (born 1990), pro basketball player
Brian Peets (born 1956), NFL tight end
Mike Pereira (born 1950), NFL vice president of officiating, rules analyst for Fox Sports
Pete Morelli (born 1951), NFL referee
Louis Rankin (born 1985), NFL and CFL running back
Jose Rojas (born 1990), racquetball player
Bill Simoni (born 1928), softball legend
Webster Slaughter (born 1964), NFL wide receiver
Andre Spencer (1964–2020), basketball player
Ed Sprague Jr. (born 1967), MLB third baseman
Amos Alonzo Stagg (1862–1965), pioneer of college football, coach at University of the Pacific
Julius Thomas (born 1988), NFL tight end
Marvin Wigley (1929-2015), volleyball pioneer
Eric Williams (born 1962), NFL defensive lineman
Dolores Wilson (born 1928), All-American Girls Professional Baseball League outfielder
Jim Winn (born 1959), MLB relief pitcher
Kenny Wooten (born 1998), NBA power forward
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